🔗 Share this article Why Los Blancos Have 'Complete Faith' in Teenager Thiago Pitarch The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage creates Real Madrid a historic moment in a pivotal European tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder became the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. He progressed to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," said Pitarch following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with great endurance, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to do his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to represent either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my playing time on the field," he commented after the win at Manchester.
The teenager has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid, featuring five appearances in the starting lineup. Whenever a teenage creates Real Madrid a historic moment in a pivotal European tie against Manchester City, it inevitably draws praise and attention. In only his first start in the competition - and fifth appearance for the club - Thiago Pitarch suitably impressed as the 15-time Champions League winners secured a 3-0 last-16 first leg lead at the Santiago Bernabeu. The young player, who also made his club debut in the play-off round a few weeks prior with a substitute appearance at Benfica, then helped Los Blancos defeat the English champions in Tuesday's return to confirm a last eight berth. Aged 18 years old, the midfielder became the club's most youthful starter to begin two matches in the Champions League knockout stages, surpassing star Vini Jr's previous mark by 10 days. A Meteoric Rise Through La Fabrica This talent is the most recent to come through from the famed youth system and is rapidly cementing himself as one of the manager's most promising young players. He signed for Real from Leganes in 2023, having previously been with Atletico and Getafe academies, and initially featuring for the Juvenil C team, where he quickly made a positive impact. He progressed to the B team and it was during a friendly match in which they played against the academy's first team, then managed by Arbeloa, where the teenager is said to have caught the attention of the present manager, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January. Reports would later label the moment as "love at first sight," adding he stood out not only for his technical ability, but for the vitality, personality and determination he brought to the team. 'His Greatest Quality Is His Personality' During the summer of 2025, ex-manager Xabi Alonso invited Pitarch to practice with the first team and awarded him minutes during the warm-up matches. However, it was the change in manager that proved the defining moment in his development as he came on as a late substitute in both ties against the Portuguese side that led to the clash with Pep Guardiola's team. "I've dreamed of this every night when sleeping, the very first time I began playing the game, every day you go to train and every day you have a game," said Pitarch following his debut. "I've just fulfilled my ambition with the best team in the world and in the top tournament." Handed a starting debut in La Liga against his former club - where he was for several seasons after arriving from Atletico in 2018 - he has retained his spot for the following four as injuries to Jude Bellingham and Ceballos provided an opening. The teenager has seized it with performances that have belied his age and experience. "He is a very quick player, and you can observe what he's capable of," said Arbeloa. "He's extremely energetic, with great endurance, effort and movement." The player's mindset has also stood out to his manager. "His greatest quality is his character," added Arbeloa. "He always wants the possession, and when pressed, he doesn't feel it. "I understand fans might be astonished to watch him start in a Champions League match, but he's playing because I had complete trust in him to do his normal game. "He will continue to get opportunities with the main squad. It's a pleasure to have a player like him." A Future International Decision Born in Fuenlabrada, in the Madrid region, and was raised deeply involved in the local game, moving through youth setups before joining Real Madrid's famous youth academy. He holds both Spanish and Moroccan citizenship, giving him the option to represent either country at the highest level. Under international regulations, players may represent different countries at youth level without being permanently tied, with the ultimate choice only binding once they appear in a competitive full international. He has featured for the Spanish national team at youth level, turning out for both the U19 and U20 sides, and participated in the 2025 Youth World Cup, where La Roja made it to the last eight. Nevertheless, he has yet to commit to any senior national team, who are watching his progress with keen attention. In a recent interview, the player confirmed: "I haven't made my final decision yet. My situation is positive with the Spanish federation, but I will reach a decision in the near future." His situation echoes that of other bi-national players such as club colleague Brahim Diaz and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal. Whereas 18-year-old Yamal chose La Roja, Diaz opted to play for the Atlas Lions. Eyes on the Prize For now, his attention is on establishing himself in the Real side and repaying his manager's belief. He played 74 minutes in the two-one win at the Etihad, which sealed a five-one aggregate success and a last-eight matchup with the German champions. He was replaced by another academy player in Angel to emphasise Arbeloa's trust in the next generation to help the club pursue trophies to come. Following his impressive impact so far on European football's biggest stage, the midfielder is tipped to play a key role in that. "The manager treats me the same. We handle it very normally. I attempt not to think about it excessively - I have to deserve my playing time on the field," he commented after the win at Manchester.